Wine draws its strength from its roots in history and tradition. In a world where legacy holds great weight, it’s not easy for new ideas to break through—especially when they promise a different way of doing things.
Take, for instance, the recent rise of non-alcoholic wines. With their bold redefinition of what wine is, they’ve sparked lively debates across the wine world.
But today, we’re not talking about what’s in the wine— We’re talking about what it’s made in. Let us introduce you to one of the most curious newcomers in winemaking: Wine Globes — the transparent vessels challenging centuries of convention.
Wine globes, or glass globes as they’re often called, are large, round vessels made of neutral glass. Winemakers use them to ferment and age wine without altering its aromatic character. Because glass is chemically inert, it leaves the wine untouched—no flavor, no influence, just pure reflection.
But how do these transparent globes compare to oak barrels, stainless steel tanks, or clay amphorae? Let’s take a quick look at how various fermentation and aging vessels stack up:
OAK BARRELS
+Enhance aroma complexity
+Micro-oxygenation softens the wine
–Imposes its own identity—alters the wine’s native character
–Degrades over time and comes with a hefty price tag
STAINLESS STEEL TANKS
+Hygienic, economical, and easy to control
+Great for preserving acidity and fruit
–Adds nothing—no character, no soul
–Often feels too clinical, too sterile
AMPHORAE
+Breathable, traditional, and naturally softening
+May impart a sense of minerality
–Porous, which complicates hygiene
–Fragile and costly to manage
WINE GLOBES (Glass Spheres)
+Neutral: reflects the grape with nothing added, nothing taken
+Near-zero oxygen contact: keeps freshness intact
+Transparency makes monitoring easy
–Heat regulation can be tricky
–Fragile and requires delicate handling
When Do Wine Globes Shine?
Above all, wine globes are loved for their neutrality. In natural winemaking, where the philosophy is minimal intervention, wine globes offer a perfect match. Winemakers who have adopted them say aromatic whites and light-bodied reds often thrive in these vessels.
Where Did They Come From?
Wine globes were developed by the Paetzold family, themselves winemakers. They emerged around the early 2010s—a blink of an eye in wine’s long history. They first appeared among small, curious producers and began spreading to those who wanted the purity of glass without the earthy influence of amphorae.
Who Uses Them? What Sizes Exist?
Today, about 500 producers worldwide have incorporated wine globes into their winemaking. They come in various sizes—from 25 liters to 400 liters, with 220 liters being the most popular. (Interestingly, this is nearly identical to the standard 225-liter oak barrel.)
Are They Found in Turkey?
Yes. At least one producer we know of in Turkey has made wine globes an essential part of their process: VASBOS Wines, based in Assos. Their Grenache, which we proudly serve at WAYANA, was born inside a wine globe.
Keep that in mind when you visit.
